Northwest Nazarene University’s Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Convocation will be Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. Both events will be held at the Idaho Center. President Dr. David Alexander will offer the baccalaureate sermon and Rev. Randy Craker, chair of NNU’s Board of Trustees, will give the commencement address. Craker will also be granted an honorary Doctorate of Divinity.

Degrees will be conferred on 426 students, of which 171 are graduate students (with an average GPA of 3.773) receiving degrees in 20 areas of study, and 255 undergraduates (with an average GPA of 3.286) receiving degrees in 45 disciplines.

NNU’s graduates represent 29 states from as far away as New York, and nine foreign countries that include Bulgaria, Kenya, Trinidad, Vanuatu, Brazil, Haiti, South Korea, Burma and Kazakhstan.

Commencement activities also bring back many Golden Grads (50+ years). This year NNU will induct the class of 1959 into this prestigious group as 34 classmates return to campus and participate in the commencement convocation. These Golden Grads will travel to Nampa from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri and all of the western states. Jerry Caven, a local Golden Grad from Eagle, Idaho, will participate in the celebrations. Caven is a local businessperson and owner of States Realty.

Other events taking place this Alumni Weekend include the presentation of the NNU Family Heritage Award, Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Established by the NNU Alumni Association, this award honors alumni families who, throughout generations, have brought honor and distinction to the University and who have advanced the cause of Christ through their lives and service.